I am shocked, shocked to find this missing from the Trad. What I remember (I think I had it by Harry Belafonte but who knows) is:

It was love and love, love alone Caused Kind Edward to leave the throne (chorus = repeat these 2 lines) I know Kind Edward was noble and great Love would cause him to ablacate (chorus) If a plane or a ship won't carry me I walk to Ms Simpson across the sea (chorus)

It's a calypso tune that is referred to, but not listed, on the Internet. Great song... who has it and who sang it? Thanks, all.

Trinidadians regard with pride The visit of the prince and his bride (2x) With banners flying happy and gay The whole island was on holiday And it seems everyone was bent On welcoming the Duke and Duchess of Kent.

The Duke of Kent, who is King George's son Had recently his honeymoon tour begun With Marina his Grecian princess Whom we hope brings him happiness She captivated us with her lovely charm And we received her with welcome arms For everyone was bent On welcoming the Duke and Duchess of Kent.

At Government House there was a party To welcome their royal company All of Trinidad's aristocracy Paid tribute to royalty We hope when they are thousands of miles away That something good on the subject of Trinidad they And will speak of our loyalty, will say To King George, his most gracious majesty.

I believe the song you are looking for is the one by BLIND BLAKE from the Bahamas, NOT the American finger-picking Blind Blake. I believe the title is "Love and Love Alone" and I'm pretty sure it was issued on a vinyl album many years back, Maybe even re-issued on CD ??

There's an article about the song at calypsoworld.org. The title they use is EDWARD VIII, although the title on the original 1937 record label was EDWARD THE VIII. The original writer/performer was Rufus Callender, known as Caresser or Lord Caresser, from Trinidad, although many others also recorded it. Harry Belafonte recorded it under the title LOVE, LOVE ALONE and Taj Mahal recorded it under the title KING EDWARD'S THRONE.

That site also has complete lyrics and a sound file of a performance by the Duke of Iron, Lord Invader and Macbeth the Great accompanied by Gerald Clark and His Invaders, recorded at Town Hall, New York, 1946.

EDWARD VIII Rufus Callender (Lord Caresser), 1937

Now, it's love, love alone That cause King Edward to leave his throne.

CHORUS: It's love, love alone That cause King Edward to leave his throne.

Yes, we know Edward is noble and great, But love will cause him to abdicate.

Oh, what a sad disappointment Was endured by the British government.

On the tenth of December, we heard the talk That he gave the throne to the Duke of York.

He said, "I'm sorry my mother is going to grieve, But I cannot help. I'm bound to leave.

"Yes, we got the money. We got the talk And the fancy walk just to suit New York.

"And if I can't get a boat to set me free, Well, I will walk to Miss Simpson across the sea.

"Scepter, robes and my crown is on my mind, But I cannot leave Miss Simpson behind."

And if you see Miss Simpson walk in the street, She can fall an angel with her body beat.

Oh, how Baldwin tried to break down his plan. He said, "Come what may the American."

"Yea, they can take my crown, they can take my throne, But they must leave Miss Simpson and me alone."

Oh, let the organ roll, let the church bell ring. Good luck to our second bachelor king!

Though he is gone, don't give him bad name, For you and I might have done the same.

Aspersion on Simpson they try to cast. They even say that she had a shady past.

Caresser's recording of EDWARD THE VIII is on the various-artists compilation "Don't Stop the Carnival," Pearl, 1999; and another compilation, "Roosevelt in Trinidad: Calypsos of Events, Places and Personalities, 1933-1939," Rounder, 1999.

EDWARD VIII, recorded by the Duke of Iron, Lord Invader and Macbeth the Great is available on "Calypso at Midnight!: The Live Midnight Special Concert," hosted by Alan Lomax, Rounder, 1999.

Harry Belafonte's LOVE, LOVE ALONE is on the Bear Family box set "Island in the Sun," 2002. Authorship is credited to John Hardy. His words are somewhat different:

...You can take his money. You can take his store, But give him that lady from Baltimore.

CHORUS: It was love, love, love, love, love alone Cause King Edward to leave his throne.

I don't know what Miz. Simpson got in her bone That cause the king to leave his throne....

Rocker Johnny J. Blair recorded a version with a reggae beat, evidently derived from Belafonte's, that included these words:

...You can take his cow. You can take his goat, But leave him with his yachting boat....

Another version called LOVE (AND LOVE ALONE)—the artist is unnamed in the description I found—is included in the various artists compilation called "Souvenir of Jamaica."

..Now, in the morning she gave him bacon and toast And in the evening she gave him Simpson's roast.

"They can take my crown; they can take my throne, But leave me and Ms. Simpson alone"

"If you see Ms. Simpson walking the streets She fall and injure with the body beats" (I don't get this one)

Let the organ roll let the church bell ring Good luck was second by chill or King (Not sure what chill refers to)

Now under annuals of history He has left the record for intensity

Solo

*Lord Caresser (Rufus Callender) was a member of the elite group of Trinidadian calypsonians who recorded in New York during the 1930s. His "Edward VIII" became one of the best-known calypsos of all times. After settling in Montreal in the mid-1940s, Caresser appeared frequently in nightclubs and on radio broadcasts

"That folk-song is still being made and sung is evidenced by the following comment on current events which was brought back from the West Indies last winter by Professor Samuel E. Morison and is included with his permission. The song was sung by Negro boatmen in Basse Terre, St. Kitts. The air to the chorus was furnished by another member of Professor Morison's party, who says that the verses were sung in a droning monotone."